Plant Comparison
Purple coneflower vs Heartsease
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Purple coneflower and Heartsease: they share 5 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, cold & flu, immune support, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Purple coneflower | Heartsease | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cold & flu | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Immune support | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 3/10 | Stronger for Heartsease |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Lipophilic alkamides are considered key immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory constituents, particularly concentrated in the root.
Antioxidant phenolic compounds contributing to the plant's immunomodulatory activity.
Water-soluble polysaccharides associated with immune-stimulating activity, particularly from the aerial parts.
Bioactive cyclic peptides shown to suppress over-active immune (T-cell) responses - the rationale for use in inflammatory skin disease; the cytotoxic cyclotides vitri A, varv A and varv E have been isolated from V. tricolor. Cyclotide-enriched preparations (including hot-water decoctions) reduce T-cell proliferation and macrophage cytokine output in vitro, of interest for inflammatory bowel disease.
Pharmacological Actions
Anti-inflammatory / immunomodulatory for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, itching and scabs (traditional, supported by cyclotide research) - cyclotide-enriched V. tricolor preparations suppress T-cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in vitro; Soothes irritated skin (demulcent and anti-inflammatory)
Cytotoxic / antiproliferative against cancer cell lines in vitro (cyclotides vitri A, varv A and varv E)
Soothes irritated skin (demulcent and anti-inflammatory); Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis and chest inflammation
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis and chest inflammation
Anti-inflammatory / immunomodulatory for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, itching and scabs (traditional, supported by cyclotide research) - cyclotide-enriched V. tricolor preparations suppress T-cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in vitro
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from immunomodulator action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis and chest inflammation
inferred from anticancer action
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis and chest inflammation
Anti-inflammatory / immunomodulatory for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, itching and scabs (traditional, supported by cyclotide research) - cyclotide-enriched V. tricolor preparations suppress T-cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in vitro
inferred from immunomodulator action
Traditional demulcent / expectorant for cough, bronchitis and chest inflammation
Anti-inflammatory / immunomodulatory for chronic skin conditions - eczema, psoriasis, itching and scabs (traditional, supported by cyclotide research) - cyclotide-enriched V. tricolor preparations suppress T-cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion in vitro
inferred from expectorant action
Soothes irritated skin (demulcent and anti-inflammatory)
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally considered safe, but caution advised for those with autoimmune conditions. Not recommended for long-term use (more than 8 weeks continuously).
Duke (2002) rates echinacea as +++ — among the most thoroughly documented herbal immunostimulants. It notes experimental and clinical evidence for immunostimulant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities. Multiple species have been studied (E. purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida), and Duke emphasizes that species identification in commercial products is often unreliable. Commission E approves E. purpurea for supporting immune function during colds and flu. Dose: 900 mg standardized extract daily in acute use; use should be limited to 8 weeks continuous. Contraindicated in autoimmune diseases (MS, lupus, HIV/AIDS), tuberculosis, and with immunosuppressive drugs (cyclosporine) (Duke, 2002).
Regarded as safe in customary traditional use; because the extract suppresses immune-cell activity, there is a theoretical caution when taking immunosuppressant medicines.
Contains salicylates, so use caution if you are salicylate-sensitive; safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Robust perennial herb with a basal rosette of coarse, hairy, lance-shaped leaves and tall, sturdy flowering stems. Each stem bears a single large, daisy-like flower head with drooping (reflexed), rose-purple to pink ray florets surrounding a prominent, spiny, orange-brown central cone of disc florets.[4]
Small, low-growing annual or short-lived perennial herb with oval to lance-shaped, scalloped leaves and large, leaf-like stipules. The distinctive flowers are tricoloured - purple, yellow and white in varying combinations - with five petals, the lower petal often marked with dark veining (a 'face' pattern), giving rise to the name 'heartsease'.[9]
Habitat
Native to the tallgrass prairies, open woodland and dry meadows of central and eastern North America; widely cultivated worldwide as a garden and medicinal plant.[4]
Grows in grassland, cultivated ground, gardens and waste places on a wide range of soils; native to Europe and widely naturalised elsewhere as a common garden and wild plant.[9]
Harvesting
The flower heads are picked as they open, in summer; the root is dug in autumn from plants at least two to three years old, when its content of bioactive alkamides and caffeic acid derivatives is highest, then cleaned and dried.[4]
The flowering aerial parts are cut in summer while in flower and dried in a warm, shaded, airy place.[9]
Traditional Uses
Echinacea root was widely used by Native American peoples as a remedy for infections, wounds, snakebite and toothache, and entered nineteenth-century Eclectic medicine as a broad anti-infective. It remains best known today, in standardised aerial-part or root extracts, as a supportive remedy for preventing and shortening the common cold and supporting immune function.[1, 4]
Heartsease has a long European folk history as a soothing remedy for skin conditions such as eczema and itching, and as a traditional demulcent and expectorant for coughs and chest complaints; this traditional skin-supportive use is now linked to immunomodulatory cyclic peptides (cyclotides) unique to the Viola genus.[9]
Preparations
Fresh-pressed juice or standardised extract of the aerial parts or root, taken as tablets, drops or capsules at the first sign of a cold; the best-studied clinical form.
Dried flowering herb infused in hot water, taken internally for cough or used as a cooled compress for skin irritation.
Dosage
Clinical trials for the common cold commonly use around 300-900 mg of standardised extract daily, started at the first sign of symptoms and continued for up to 7-10 days; continuous use beyond about 8 weeks is not recommended. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
The EU herbal monograph gives, for oral use in adults and elderly, 3 g of the comminuted herb as an infusion 1-3 times daily. For cutaneous use, 5-20 g/L as an infusion applied as a wet dressing 2-3 times daily, or 5-10 g/L as a bath additive (1 litre of infusion per bath). Contraindicated in hypersensitivity to salicylates, and cutaneously on open wounds or large areas of damaged skin. Oral use not recommended under 18 years. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- Karsch-Völk, M., Barrett, B., Kiefer, D., Bauer, R. et al (2014) 'Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2(2), pp. CD000530. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub3 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub3 - Kamin, W., Seifert, G., Zwiauer, K., Bonhoeffer, J. et al (2025) 'Phytotherapy for acute respiratory tract infections in children: a systematically conducted, comprehensive review', Frontiers in Pediatrics, 13, pp. 1423250. doi:10.3389/fped.2025.1423250 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2025.1423250 - Fashner, J., Ericson, K. and Werner, S (2012) 'Treatment of the common cold in children and adults', American Family Physician, 86(2), pp. 153-159. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22962927/ Traditional / reference
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22962927/ - Manayi, A., Vazirian, M. and Saeidnia, S (2015) 'Echinacea purpurea: Pharmacology, phytochemistry and analysis methods', Pharmacognosy Reviews, 9(17), pp. 63-72. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.156353 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.156353 - Burlou-Nagy, C., Banica, F., Jurca, T., Vicas, L.G., Marian, E., Muresan, M.E., Bacskay, I., Kiss, R., Feher, P. and Pallag, A (2022) 'Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench: Biological and Pharmacological Properties. A Review', Plants, 11(9), pp. 1244. doi:10.3390/plants11091244 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11091244 - Hall, H., Fahlman, M.M. and Engels, H.J (2007) 'Echinacea purpurea and mucosal immunity', International Journal of Sports Medicine, 28(9), pp. 792-797. doi:10.1055/s-2007-964895 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-964895 - Ross, S.M (2016) 'Echinacea purpurea: A Proprietary Extract of Echinacea purpurea Is Shown to be Safe and Effective in the Prevention of the Common Cold', Holistic Nursing Practice, 30(1), pp. 54-57. doi:10.1097/HNP.0000000000000130 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1097/HNP.0000000000000130 - Hudson, J.B (2011) 'Applications of the phytomedicine Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower) in infectious diseases', Journal of Biomedicine & Biotechnology, 2012, pp. 769896. doi:10.1155/2012/769896 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/769896 - Mishima, S., Saito, K., Maruyama, H., Inoue, M., Yamashita, T., Ishida, T. and Gu, Y (2004) 'Antioxidant and immuno-enhancing effects of Echinacea purpurea', Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 27(7), pp. 1004-1009. doi:10.1248/bpb.27.1004 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.27.1004 - Saunders, P.R., Smith, F. and Schusky, R.W (2007) 'Echinacea purpurea L. in children: safety, tolerability, compliance, and clinical effectiveness in upper respiratory tract infections', Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 85(11), pp. 1195-1199. doi:10.1139/Y07-103 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1139/Y07-103 - Micheli, L., Maggini, V., Ciampi, C., Gallo, E., Bogani, P., Fani, R., Pistelli, L., Ghelardini, C., Di Cesare Mannelli, L., De Leo, M. and Firenzuoli, F (2022) 'Echinacea purpurea against neuropathic pain: Alkamides versus polyphenols efficacy', Phytotherapy Research, 37(5), pp. 1911-1923. doi:10.1002/ptr.7709 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7709 - Gholami, M., Amri, J., Pazhoohan, S. and Sadegh, M (2021) 'Anticonvulsive and anti-epileptogenesis effects of Echinacea purpurea root extract, an involvement of CB2 receptor', Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine, 19(4), pp. 879-886. doi:10.1515/jcim-2020-0219 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2020-0219 - Awortwe, C., Bruckmueller, H., Kaehler, M. and Cascorbi, I (2021) 'Interaction of Phytocompounds of Echinacea purpurea with ABCB1 and ABCG2 Efflux Transporters', Molecular Pharmaceutics, 18(4), pp. 1622-1633. doi:10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c01075 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c01075 - Perry, N.B., van Klink, J.W., Burgess, E.J. and Parmenter, G.A (1997) 'Alkamide levels in Echinacea purpurea: a rapid analytical method revealing differences among roots, rhizomes, stems, leaves and flowers', Planta Medica, 63(1), pp. 58-62. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957605 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-957605 - Linde, K., Barrett, B., Wölkart, K., Bauer, R. and Melchart, D (2006) 'Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Echinacea%20for%20preventing%20and%20treating%20the%20common%20cold - Sharma, M., Schoop, R., Suter, A. and Schoop, W (2010) 'The possibility of prophylactic treatment of streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis with a standardized Echinacea preparation', 29(8), pp. 1025--1035. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=The%20possibility%20of%20prophylactic%20treatment%20of%20streptococcal%20pharyngotonsillitis%20with%20a%20standardized%20Echinacea%20preparation - World Health Organization (1999) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=WHO%20Monographs%20on%20Selected%20Medicinal%20Plants - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Gorski, J.C., Huang, S.M., Pinto, A., Hamman, M.A., Hilligoss, J.K., Zaheer, N.A., Desai, M., Miller, M. and Hall, S.D (2004) 'The effect of echinacea (Echinacea purpurea root) on cytochrome P450 activity in vivo', Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 75(1), pp. 89-100. doi:10.1016/j.clpt.2003.09.013 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clpt.2003.09.013
- Retzl, B., Zimmermann-Klemd, A.M., Winker, M., Nicolay, S., Grundemann, C. and Gruber, C.W (2023) 'Exploring Immune Modulatory Effects of Cyclotide-Enriched Viola tricolor Preparations', Planta Medica, 89(15), pp. 1493--1504. doi:10.1055/a-2173-8627 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2173-8627 - Harati, E., Bahrami, M., Razavi, A., Kamalinejad, M. and others (2018) 'Effects of Viola tricolor Flower Hydroethanolic Extract on Lung Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Chronic Asthma', Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, 17(5), pp. 409-417. doi:10.18502/ijaai.v17i5.299 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.18502/ijaai.v17i5.299 - Sadeghnia, H.R., Ghorbani Hesari, T., Mortazavian, S.M., Mousavi, S.H. and others (2014) 'Viola tricolor induces apoptosis in cancer cells and exhibits antiangiogenic activity on chicken chorioallantoic membrane', BioMed Research International, 2014, pp. 625792. doi:10.1155/2014/625792 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/625792 - Mousavi, S.H., Naghizade, B., Pourgonabadi, S. and Ghorbani, A (2016) 'Protective effect of Viola tricolor and Viola odorata extracts on serum/glucose deprivation-induced neurotoxicity: role of reactive oxygen species', Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 6(4), pp. 434-441. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Protective%20effect%20of%20Viola%20tricolor%20and%20Viola%20odorata%20extracts%20on%20serum/glucose%20deprivation-induced%20neurotoxicity%3A%20role%20of%20reactive%20oxygen%20species - Witkowska-Banaszczak, E., Bylka, W., Matlawska, I., Goslinska, O. and Muszynski, Z (2005) 'Antimicrobial activity of Viola tricolor herb', Fitoterapia, 76(5), pp. 458-461. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2005.03.005 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2005.03.005 - Baradaran Rahimi, V., Askari, V.R., Hosseini, M., Yousefsani, B.S. and Sadeghnia, H.R (2019) 'Anticonvulsant Activity of Viola tricolor against Seizures Induced by Pentylenetetrazol and Maximal Electroshock in Mice', Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences, 44(3), pp. 220-226. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Anticonvulsant%20Activity%20of%20Viola%20tricolor%20against%20Seizures%20Induced%20by%20Pentylenetetrazol%20and%20Maximal%20Electroshock%20in%20Mice - Piana, M., Silva, M.A., Trevisan, G., de Brum, T.F. and others (2013) 'Antiinflammatory effects of Viola tricolor gel in a model of sunburn in rats and the gel stability study', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 150(2), pp. 458-465. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.08.040 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.08.040 - Han, B.Y., Wang, Z.L., Li, J., Jin, Q. and others (2023) 'A highly selective C-rhamnosyltransferase from Viola tricolor and insights into its mechanisms', Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, 13(8), pp. 3535-3544. doi:10.1016/j.apsb.2023.05.011 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsb.2023.05.011 - Hellinger, R., Koehbach, J., Fedchuk, H., Sauer, B., Huber, R., Gruber, C.W. and Grundemann, C (2013) 'Immunosuppressive activity of an aqueous Viola tricolor herbal extract', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 2013. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.10.044 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.10.044 - Kirichenko, T.V., Sobenin, I.A., Nikolic, D., Rizzo, M. and Orekhov, A.N (2015) 'Anti-cytokine therapy for prevention of atherosclerosis', Phytomedicine, 23(11), pp. 1198-1210. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2015.12.002 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2015.12.002 - Conzelmann, C., Muratspahic, E., Tomasevic, N., Munch, J. and Gruber, C.W (2022) 'Inhibition of HIV-1 by Cyclotide-Enriched Extracts of Viola tricolor', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, pp. 888961. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.888961 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.888961 - Maraschio, A., Wulhfard, K. and Monsellato, L (2023) 'Case study of clinical improvement of atopic dermatitis in a patient treated with herbal-based parapharmaceuticals', Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine, 20(2), pp. 504-511. doi:10.1515/jcim-2023-0005 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2023-0005 - Svangard, E. and Goransson, U. and Hocaoglu, Z. and Gullbo, J. and Larsson, R. and Claeson, P. and Bohlin, L (2004) 'Cytotoxic cyclotides from Viola tricolor', Journal of Natural Products, 67(2), pp. 144--147. doi:10.1021/np030101l Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/np030101l - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2010) 'Community herbal monograph on Viola tricolor L. and/or subspecies Viola arvensis Murray (Gaud) and Viola vulgaris Koch (Oborny), herba cum flore'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-viola-tricolor-l_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-viola-tricolor-l_en.pdf
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.